With summer time in full swing (okay, technically it’s nonetheless spring – but it surely positive appears like summer time!), many people are gearing up for thrilling journey adventures. We simply obtained again from a really enjoyable journey to the Massive Straightforward, and I’ve obtained fairly just a few DMs asking about our expertise. It looks as if lots of you might be interested in our favourite issues to do in New Orleans, the place we stayed, and one of the best locations to eat – so at this time I’m overlaying all of it!
P.S. Talking of holidays, in the event you’re contemplating a seashore getaway this summer time, be sure you take a look at final 12 months’s put up on issues to do in Sarasota and my seashore journey packing record!
The place to Keep in New Orleans
Earlier than diving into all of the enjoyable issues to do in New Orleans, you’ll need to discover the right place to remain. That mentioned, it’s useful to have just a few actions in thoughts as you’re deciding on lodging – since your plans could affect which location is finest to your journey.
NOLA is a big metropolis made up of many distinct neighborhoods, so the place you keep can actually form your expertise. The perfect lodge for you’ll depend upon the vibe you’re going for and the areas you need to discover.
After performing some analysis, we narrowed our choices all the way down to Lodge Peter and Paul within the Marigny neighborhood and Lodge Saint Vincent within the Decrease Backyard District.
Lodge Peter and Paul
Finally, we landed on Lodge Peter and Paul. The interiors are completely lovely, and the Bywater space simply down the road has some actually wonderful eating places and bars – all inside strolling distance. Whereas the lodge doesn’t have a pool simply but, one is presently underneath building and is about to be accomplished by the top of summer time.
Sadly, we didn’t have the finest keep at Lodge Peter and Paul. The room we got was under no circumstances what we anticipated – which was such a bummer primarily based on the pictures on the location. We additionally weren’t knowledgeable about on-site building happening on the property till 48 hours earlier than check-in. I actually hope our keep was an anomaly, as so many others have raved about this spot!
Lodge Saint Vincent
We did jump over to Lodge Saint Vincent to test it out throughout our journey, and it was simply as beautiful! The workers had been tremendous pleasant, and the placement felt way more central – inside strolling distance of so many nice spots and issues to do in New Orleans. We’ll positively be giving this lodge a strive the subsequent time we go to the town!
High 5 Issues to Do in New Orleans
When you’ve determined the place to remain, it’s time to start out planning all of the enjoyable actions! There are such a lot of issues to do in New Orleans that it could actually really feel a bit overwhelming at first.
As I discussed in my Sarasota weblog put up, I at all times like to start out by fascinated by why I’m visiting a metropolis and who I’m touring with. Are you heading to New Orleans with a major different or with youngsters? Are you hoping to see the basic vacationer sights, or are you extra excited about exploring hidden gems and native favorites? Begin by outlining your important targets for the journey, and let that information your itinerary.
Our important targets for this journey had been to chill out, have enjoyable, and expertise a few of our favourite issues in a brand new vacation spot. For us, that meant music, structure, artwork, tradition – and, after all, having fun with some actually unimaginable meals!
1. Benefit from the Music
Whereas we had been on the town, we checked out the lineup on the newly constructed Fillmore – and one in every of our favorites, Ryan Bingham, occurred to be taking part in. We scooped up tickets instantly! The venue is very well run and an incredible spot to catch a reside present.
And talking of music, you can’t go to New Orleans with out listening to some jazz. We tried to keep away from Bourbon Road, so we opted to scope out some reside music spots on Frenchman Road as an alternative. The power there may be so enjoyable and genuine – it’s a should for music lovers.
2. Take within the Structure
The structure in NOLA is totally beautiful – so I extremely suggest making some extent to stroll via the Backyard District and take a look at the historic mansions. It’s probably the most lovely components of the town. There are a ton of free strolling excursions obtainable to obtain earlier than your journey, like this one!
3. Test Out the Artwork
One other one in every of my favourite issues to do in New Orleans is to go to NOMA (the New Orleans Museum of Artwork) and discover the outside sculpture backyard. The reveals are unimaginable and such a peaceable option to get pleasure from artwork in nature. Only a heads up – in the event you’re visiting in late spring or summer time, ensure that to convey an umbrella. We obtained caught within the rain extra occasions than I can depend!
4. Take part in a Historic or Cultural Occasion
New Orleans is known for its unimaginable lineup of historic and cultural occasions – Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, Tales of the Cocktail, French Quarter Competition, New Orleans Meals & Wine Competition, and so many extra! It usually appears like there’s one thing taking place each weekend, providing numerous alternatives to expertise one thing enjoyable and distinctive throughout your go to. The town additionally hosts a Delight celebration, for which they usually have an enormous prove!
5. Savor the Taste
NOLA is thought for lots of issues – and the unimaginable meals and drinks are excessive on that record. The town is filled with bars and eating places which have rave opinions, and making an attempt new spots every time we go to is hands-down one in every of my favourite issues to do in New Orleans! With so many wonderful choices to select from, I’m switching gears and giving meals and drinks their very own well-deserved highlight under.
The place to Eat and Drink in New Orleans
There’s by no means sufficient time to strive all of the wonderful NOLA eating places. Actually, even narrowing down our record and making reservations felt a bit daunting – however we did it, and we ended up loving each spot we dined at!
I extremely suggest making reservations upfront, particularly when you’ve got your coronary heart set on just a few must-visit locations. One factor to remember: Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays is usually a bit difficult, as many eating places within the space select to shut on these days.
Breakfast
Let’s kick issues off with breakfast! Ayu Bakehouse was excellent. Personally, I beloved the peaches and cream pastry and the Matcha Fizz (a particular the week we had been there).
Lagniappe, situated in Central Metropolis, is a 2025 James Beard Award finalist—and for good cause. They’ve glorious pastries! Simply be sure you get there early to snag what you need earlier than they promote out!
Lunch & Dinner
For this journey, we skipped many of the well-known spots – you already know, those that present up on the high of each journey information. As I discussed earlier, making an attempt new eating places is one in every of my favourite issues to do in New Orleans. Since I’ve visited earlier than, I felt like I’d already skilled lots of the extra established joints and was able to department out! So this time, we opted for newer institutions and locations that felt a bit extra native.
N7 was by far our favourite eating spot. It’s quaint, peaceable, and felt tucked away from the hustle and bustle – and the meals was wonderful!
La Petite Grocery was the one exception to our “no established spots” rule. This restaurant is a New Orleans staple that I’ll fortunately return to each time I’m within the metropolis. As standard, it didn’t disappoint!
We wished to change up the delicacies for one in every of our meals, so we gave Saba a strive. Their menu is Mediterranean, and the whole lot was so contemporary. It was the right spot for a wet lunch and gave us an opportunity to discover Uptown.
Nibbles & Drinks
Between meals and adventures, we grabbed just a few nibbles and drinks. We stopped by The Elysian Bar, conveniently situated inside our lodge, greater than as soon as. And in contrast to our total lodge expertise, I’m completely satisfied to report that this bar was so stress-free.
Evviva was one other small-bites spot we tried – and it was a complete standout. This restaurant simply opened this 12 months and has already popped up on a number of “finest new restaurant” lists. We couldn’t agree extra! The workers was beautiful, the meals was improbable, and the wine record was so attention-grabbing.
What I beloved most about this place was that it felt like a real neighborhood spot. Folks had been operating into their neighbors, the workers knew virtually half the company who walked via the door, and lots of lingered lengthy after dinner to sip one other drink and simply hang around.
Cocktail Hour
If making an attempt enjoyable new drinks is in your record of issues to do in New Orleans, relaxation assured – there are many nice choices!
On our first night time, we stopped by Lodge Saint Vincent for drinks. The property is totally beautiful, and I used to be thrilled to see a Lambrusco cocktail on the menu – Lambrusco is my favourite!
For a elaborate nightcap, we ventured to Jewel of the South one night. It was equal components lovable and engaging!
And you already know I like an excellent/excessive low second (in vogue and the whole lot else in life!), so I wished to cease at a enjoyable dive bar, too. One afternoon, we grabbed a beer at Anna’s, and it felt just like the type of place I’d like to have across the nook from residence – tremendous laid again and chill. Plus, cool merch! 🙂
On My Want Record
There have been just a few different eating and ingesting spots I’d’ve beloved to go to if we’d had extra time! These come extremely beneficial, so that they’re positively price trying into in the event you’re planning a visit to NOLA: Bacchanel, Acamaya, Lilette, and Turkey and the Wolf. They’re all on our want record for the subsequent time we’re again!
Remaining Ideas on Issues to Do in New Orleans
Whether or not you’re heading to the Massive Straightforward this summer time or just dreaming up a future getaway, I hope these recommendations on the place to remain, what to eat, and one of the best issues to do in New Orleans are useful. It’s actually a magical metropolis – wealthy in tradition, filled with attraction, and filled with unforgettable experiences. If it’s not already in your journey record, I extremely suggest including it!
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